By the end of the fourth day, the Test match was all but pronounced dead and buried under the necropolis of a surface. Only four wickets had fallen through the day, none in the morning session. A result looked possible only if there is a miraculous collapse, but thus far all the miracles in the match had been performed by bowlers gripping their bats at No 11.

And then all of a sudden two wickets off consecutive balls breathed much needed life into the tale. With the Indian tail long, winding and inexperienced, there can well be another twist along the line. The zestful life of the lower order may have been exhausted by the immaculate last wicket acts on the second afternoon, one can’t expect similar shows every day.